Video game controller rack

Abstract

The present invention is for a storage rack for game controllers and a method of using it. The present invention provides a safe convenient and practical way of storing game controllers when the game controller is not in use by a gamer. The advantage of the present invention is that it organizes the controllers as well as provides a decorative element to a room. The game controller rack includes a vertical member and one or more pairs of cantilever angle members or posts wherein the members have a predetermined lateral spacing and are angled outwardly and upwardly in a predetermined range of angles to provide support for retaining various game controllers.

1. A game controller rack for storing at least one game controller, comprising:
 a vertical member; 
 at least one pair of cantilever angle members fixably attached to said vertical member; and 
 said pair of cantilever angle members having a first and a second cantilever angle member spaced a predetermined distance laterally of each other and angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member, at an angle in the range of approximately 18 degrees to approximately 22 degrees and angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 27 degrees to approximately 33 degrees, 
 wherein said at least one pair of cantilever angle members attaches to said vertical member creating a cradle for at least one game controller, and 
 the vertical member is provided with a connector for providing power to said game controller, the vertical member provided with at least one network connector adapted to connect to at least one of said game controllers creating a network access point, or the vertical member provided a transceiver for communicating with at least one wireless game controller and a gaming network. 
 
     
     
       2. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1  including a second pair of cantilever angle members positioned a predetermined vertical distance below said pair of cantilever angle members, said second pair of cantilever angle members having a first and second cantilever angle member spaced a predetermined distance laterally of each other and angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 18 degrees to approximately 22 degrees and angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 27 degrees to approximately 33 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said second pair of cantilever angle members is positioned a predetermined distance below said pair of cantilever angle members of at least approximately 2½ inches. 
     
     
       4. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1  having a lateral pair of cantilever angle members positioned laterally of said pair of cantilever angle members, said lateral pair of cantilever angle members having a first and a second cantilever angle member spaced a predetermined distance laterally of each other and angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 18 degrees to approximately 22 degrees and angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 27 degrees to approximately 33 degrees. 
     
     
       5. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cantilever angle members are angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle of approximately 20 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cantilever angle members are angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first and second cantilever angle members have a predetermined distance laterally of each other of approximately 1½ inches center to center. 
     
     
       8. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said vertical member is provided with support means. 
     
     
       9. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said support means includes holes formed in said vertical member adapted to receive fasteners for securing said vertical member to a structure. 
     
     
       10. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1  including a second game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said two game controller racks are connected by at least one strap, said strap being adapted to be placed over a game console. 
     
     
       11. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said game controller rack and said second game controller rack are provided with connecting means for connecting together said game controller racks for mounting on a vertical surface. 
     
     
       12. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said connecting means is a one way dovetail structure for connecting together said game controller racks. 
     
     
       13. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said pair of cantilever angle members is fixably attached to said vertical member by insertion of said first and second cantilever angle members into said vertical member by an interlocking retainer means, said interlocking retainer means being a mechanical interlocking mechanism, friction or a bonding substance. 
     
     
       14. The game controller rack in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein when the vertical member is provided with a connector for providing power to said game controller, said connector for providing power is a an universal bus connector. 
     
     
       15. A method of storing game controllers comprising the steps of:
 providing a game controller rack comprising:
 a vertical member, 
 at least one pair of cantilever angle members fixably attached to said vertical member, and 
 said pair of cantilever angle members having a first and a second cantilever angle member spaced a predetermined distance laterally of each other and angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member, at an angle in the range of approximately 18 degrees to approximately 22 degrees and angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 27 degrees to approximately 33 degrees, 
 wherein said at least one pair of cantilever angle members attaches to said vertical member creating a cradle for at least one game controller and the vertical member provided is with a connector for providing power to said game controller, the vertical member is provided with at least one network connector adapted to connect to at least one of said game controllers creating a network access point, or the vertical member is provided with a transceiver for communicating with at least one wireless game controller and a gaming network; 
 
 placing at least one game controller on said game controller rack; 
 connecting said game controller to said network connection on said vertical member of said game controller rack; and 
 causing said game controller to communicate with a secondary network. 
 
     
     
       16. The method in accordance with  claim 15  including the steps of:
 connecting said game controller stored on said game controller rack to a power connector for charging said game controller; and 
 charging said game controller while it is stored on said game controller rack. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of storing game controllers, comprising the steps of:
 providing a game controller rack comprising:
 a vertical member, 
 at least one pair of cantilever angle members fixably attached to said vertical member, and 
 said pair of cantilever angle members having a first and a second cantilever angle member spaced a predetermined distance laterally of each other and angled outwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member, at an angle in the range of approximately 18 degrees to approximately 22 degrees and angled upwardly from a line perpendicular to said vertical member at an angle in the range of approximately 27 degrees to approximately 33 degrees, 
 wherein said at least one pair of cantilever angle members attaches to said vertical member creating a cradle for at least one game controller and the vertical member is provided with a connector for providing power to said game controller, the vertical member is provided with at least one network connector adapted to connect to at least one of said game controllers creating a network access point, or the vertical member is provided with a transceiver for communicating with at least one wireless game controller and a gaming network; 
 
 placing at least one game controller on said game controller rack; 
 providing said game controller rack with a network communication device; and 
 causing said game controller to communicate via said wireless network transceiver with a secondary network.